MOISTURE CONTENT OF SOILExperiment No. 2

OBJECTIVE

This test is performed to determine the moisture content of soils. The water content is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass of pore or free water in a given mass of soil to the mass of the dry soil solids.

Standard reference:

ASTM D 2216 - Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil, Rock, and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures

APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES

Drying ovenBalanceMoisture canGlovesSpatula.

PROCEDURE

1. Record the moisture can and lid number. Determine and record the mass of an empty, clean, and dry moisture can with its lid (W1).

2. Place the moist soil in the moisture can and secure the lid. Determine and record the mass of the moisture can (now containing the moist soil) with the lid (W2).

3. Remove the lid and place the moisture can (containing the moist soil) in the drying oven. Leave it in the oven overnight.

4. Remove the moisture can. Carefully but securely, replace the lid on the moisture can using gloves, and allow it to cool to room temperature. Determine and record the mass of the moisture can and lid (containing the dry soil) (W3).

5. Empty the moisture can and clean the can and lid.

Moisture Content of Soil

TABLES

Soil Background

Color of the soil: ______________________________ Soil Moisture Condition: ______________________________ Texture: ______________________________ Location of soil origin: ______________________________ Weather Condition: ______________________________ Date: ______________________________ Time: ______________________________

Table 2.1. Moisture Content of Soil

Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6W1, gW2, gW3, gW4, gW5, g

MC, %Ave MC

Equations:WS = W5 = W3 W1

Ww = W4 = W2 W3

MC, % = W2 W3 = WW W3 W1 WS

Average MC = (MC1 + MC2 + MC3 + MC4 +MC5)/5

Where:W1 = weight of can, gW2 = weight of moist soil + can, gW3 = weight of dried soil + can, gW4 = weight of water in soil, gW5 = weight of dried soil, gMC = Moisture content of soil, %

Table 2.2. Weight of Empty Moisture Can

Moisture Can # Weight of Cup, g Weight of Lid, g

COMPUTATIONS

REMARKS

REFERENCE/S

Moisture Content of SoilTABLESSoil Background

Trial123456W1, gW2, gW3, gW4, gW5, gMC, %Ave MCMC = Moisture content of soil, %COMPUTATIONS